Topic: iOS 6

As the expected launch date for Apple's next-generation iPhone draws near, the company flipped the switch on App Store Genius recommendations and a Chomp-inspired tile layout for the iPhone in iOS 6 beta, further refining the app purchasing system ahead of its debut this fall.

Apple is incorporating advanced 3D imaging to bring a variety of new features to iOS users, from building outlines to topographical terrain to fully rendered 3D models that not only replace Google's StreetView, but offer to provide 360 degree views across neighborhoods, behind buildings and even off roads.

Google has revealed plans to enhance its Wallet service with location-aware store cards, boarding passes and event tickets, much like the Passbook feature found in Apple's forthcoming iOS 6 iPhone update.

AT&T on Wednesday published a public letter defending its decision to block FaceTime calls over 3G for customers who have not switched to its new shared data plans, arguing that its policy is in compliance with the FCC's net neutrality rules, because AT&T does not offer its own competing preloaded video chat application.

Among the more than 200 new features that Apple plans to incorporate into next month's release of iOS 6 will be an update to the software's alarm clock application that will have you stumbling out of bed in the morning to your favorite tune.

The partnership announced between Starbucks and credit card processing service Square underscores the potential demand for mobile device payments, lending some light into why Apple is promoting its new Passbook app as a key feature in iOS 6.

Apple on Monday afternoon released the 4th beta of iOS 6 to developers and in the process appears to have nixed the inclusion of the once-standard YouTube app in what appears to be an escalation of tensions between the company and rival Google.

When asked whether Apple's new Passbook app for iOS 6 hints at the company's larger strategy for deploying a digital wallet infrastructure, chief executive Tim Cook described the new app as "a very key feature" but said he "wouldn't want to comment specifically on that point."

With this fall's launch of iOS 6 set to add support for new "Made for iPhone" hearing aids, a pair of new patent applications offer a glimpse of how Apple could even further benefit users who are hearing impaired.

iPhone 4S users running the latest beta of iOS 6 have encountered an error message that has led to speculation that AT&T and other carriers could begin charging users to access FaceTime video chat over cellular data networks.

Users of the iPhone 3GS, a handset first released by Apple in 2009, may have access to the new Shared Photo Streams and VIP Mail features after all, as support has been added in the third beta release of iOS 6.